Answers to all of your questions about planning a bridal shower Why Have a Bridal Shower? A bridal shower is a fun way for a woman's friends and family to celebrate her, prior to the wedding. As they "shower" her with gifts, they prepare her to start her own household. Historically, bridal showers started when women wanted to marry "unsuitable husbands" and thus their families refused to provide a dowry. Friends of the couple gathered to pitch in and make up for the lack of a dowry by helping them set up house. Today, they are a time to share stories, eat great food, and pay special attention to the bride. Who Throws the Bridal Shower? Typically, the maid of honor hosts the bridal shower, unless she is a member of the bride's immediate family. (Many etiquette guides frown on a family member hosting, because it looks like she's trying to get gifts for the bride. Often the mother of the bride and/or the bride's sister will still be involved, just not technically be the host. Others realize that in this modern world, a relative is sometimes the only appropriate host.) For an informal, or casual shower, the maid of honor or host picks up all the costs. For a more elaborate shower, she may talk to the other bridesmaids and get them to agree on chipping in or splitting costs at the beginning of the planning process. And of course she can, and should, ask the other bridesmaids to help with set up, planning, decorating, etc. Where to Have the Bridal Shower ]Anywhere from a bridesmaid's home to a favorite restaurant, a park, a beach, or the zoo. You can also choose to have theme showers at paint-your-own-pottery studios, beauty salons, galleries or other favorite party spots. It's okay to not pick up all costs, as long as you tell guests beforehand. For example, an invitation to a restaurant shower might say "We'll celebrate with a dutch lunch (entrees cost about $10) followed by cake and champagne in the garden" or a spa invitation might say "We've got the room reserved at XYZ spa. Call the spa directly to book your appointment. Instead of a present, bring $25 to pay for the bride's treatments and send her on her way with a deluxe spa gift certificate." When to Have the Bridal Shower Anywhere from 6 months before to the week of the wedding. If many guests are traveling from out of town, it may make sense to have it close to the wedding, so they can attend. Otherwise, it can be nice to have it four months or more before the wedding, so that it will add to anticipation, without adding to a bride's last minute stress. (Some etiquette guides say to wait until after the wedding invitations have gone out, but I think it's fine to do it earlier, as long as all shower invitees will definitely be invited to the wedding itself.) As for time of day, the traditional time is Sunday afternoon, but really any time day or night is fine. Do You Need to have a Bridal Shower? It's up to you, and your bridal party! While it's often a very fun afternoon, some bride's feel uncomfortable with the attention. Others may not want to ask their friends for more gifts. Make sure the bride wants a shower before starting to plan one. Who Should You Invite? Start off by asking the bride for a guest list! (If it's a surprise, talk to her mother, or her fiancé). You'll want to make sure that you're not inviting anyone who won't be invited to the wedding, and the only way to know that is to ask directly. Remember to invite close female relatives of both the bride and groom, as well as all the women in the wedding party and the bride's close friends. While bridal showers are traditionally all women, today, many are co-ed affairs celebrating both the bride and groom. What Happens During a Shower You'll find that most of the party will be spent eating, laughing, telling stories and opening presents. Food can be as simple as picnic staples and crudite to an elaborate spread with a theme related to the couple. As the bride open presents, have some nice music playing in the background. Make thank-you note writing easier by picking someone to write down the gifts and their giver. If you're having the party at home, you may want to have some bridal shower games to keep the party moving.

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Captured Moment - Photographer specializing in weddings, portraits, special events. Features a Chicago-style wedding package that offers a vintage 1930 Model A, which serves as a backdrop for black and white and color photographs.
-- http://capturedmoment.net/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Localities: C: Chicago: Arts and Entertainment: Photography: Photographers   (2 matches)

Grabari Photography - Family-owned studio offering wedding photography and videography. Serving the Chicago area.
-- http://www.angelfire.com/il/photographers/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Localities: R: Roselle   (1)

Jeff Ellis Photography - Chicago-based photographer specializing in location shoots and offering wedding coverage, portraits and interior photography in both color and black and white.
-- http://www.jeffellisphoto.com/   Business: Arts and Entertainment: Photography: Photographers: Wedding and Events: North America: United States: Illinois   (35)

Hart Productions - Full service Chicago company. Corporate and wedding video. Editing and post-production services.
-- http://hartproductionsinc.com/   Business: Arts and Entertainment: Media Production: Video   (18)

Wedding Guide Chicago - Guide to wedding vendors in Chicago.
-- http://weddingguidechicago.com/   Society: Relationships: Weddings: Directories and Guides: United States: Illinois   (6)

Fred Fox Photography and Video - Specializing in wedding photography, videography, portraiture, special event photography, corporate and commercial photography, invitations and calligraphy. Nine studio locations in the Chicago area.
-- http://www.fredfox.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Metro Areas: Chicago: Arts and Entertainment: Photography   (5)

Swissôtel Chicago - Offers exquisite service for weddings or special events. Menus, directions, questionnaire, packages, and image gallery featured.
-- http://www.swissotel-chicagoweddings.com   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Localities: C: Chicago: Business and Economy: Event Planning: Weddings   (4)

DJ Booth, The - Mobile disc jockey company serving the Chicago area and southern Wisconsin. Specializing in wedding receptions, corporate events, and holiday parties. Song list, FAQs, and pricing are featured.
-- http://www.thedjbooth.net/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Metro Areas: Chicago: Arts and Entertainment: Music: DJs   (5)

Williams, Marguerite Lynn - Elegant harp music for any occasion. Marguerite is a professional harpist in Chicago, IL performing at wedding ceremonies and private events with over 12 years of performing experience.
-- http://www.mlwharp.com   Arts: Music: Instruments: Stringed: Harp: Harpists   (3)

Ritual Arts - Chicago-based liberal minister with ten years experience can create and officiate wedding and commitment ceremonies that reflect personal beliefs and values.
-- http://www.ritualarts.com   Society: Relationships: Weddings: Ceremony: Officiants: United States: Illinois   (3)

Elegant Trolleys - Trolley service available especially for weddings and special events in the south suburban Chicago area. Includes photos and contacts.
-- http://www.eleganttrolleys.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Metro Areas: Chicago: Transportation: Limousines and Shuttles   (3)

21st Century Arts & Entertainment - Featuring the Bradley Young Orchestra that provides wedding music and entertainment for area parties. Performs Chicago blues to Kansas City swing; the 40's to the 70's to the 90's and including today's hits. Sample songs for download.
-- http://www.funtwentyone.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Metro Areas: Chicago: Arts and Entertainment: Music: Bands and Artists   (3)

Rizzo & Rizzo Photography - Serving the greater Chicago area as a creative wedding photographer for 30 years. Features color, and blank-and-white photographs, features information on 'no package' orders, image gallery, and contact information.
-- http://www.rizzoandrizzo.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Localities: N: Niles   (1)

Selima Ani Photography - Wedding, portrait, and fine art photography offered in Chicago and Los Angeles regions.
-- http://www.selimaaniphotography.com/   Business: Arts and Entertainment: Photography: Photographers: Wedding and Events: North America: United States: Illinois   (35)

Chicago Wedding Services - Directory of videographers for Chicago weddings.
-- http://chicagoweddingservices.com/Chicago_wedding_videographers.htm   Business: Arts and Entertainment: Media Production: Video: Videographers: Wedding and Events: United States: Illinois   (12)

Chicagoland Wedding Directory - Chicago area online wedding resources directory.
-- http://chicagolandwedding.com   Society: Relationships: Weddings: Directories and Guides: United States: Illinois   (6)

Photo by Robert Ltd. - Studio with 50 years of wedding photography experience, with locations in Chicago and Arlington Heights. Photography style ranges from traditional to special effect and have an in-house processing lab.
-- http://photobyrobert.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Metro Areas: Chicago: Arts and Entertainment: Photography   (5)

Chicago Bride Magazine - Magazine with information on planning a wedding in the city.
-- http://www.chicagobridemag.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Localities: C: Chicago: Business and Economy: Event Planning: Weddings   (4)

Global Heart Entertainment - Wedding and events disc jockey service for Chicago and western suburbs. FAQs, tips for hiring a dj service, music search, and pricing of packages are showcased.
-- http://www.globalheartdj.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Metro Areas: Chicago: Arts and Entertainment: Music: DJs   (5)

Art Craft Photographers - Studio with over 30 years of experience serving the Chicago area, providing wedding photography and invitations plus passport and publicity photos.
-- http://www.artcraftphoto.com/   Regional: North America: United States: Illinois: Localities: B: Bloomingdale   (1)